Ballycotton RNLI rescue casualty after falling from a capsized dinghy

Ballycotton RNLI was alerted by a concerned member of the public who witnessed the casualty having difficulty righting the capsized dinghy, and were launched shortly afterwards in weather conditions that were described as slight with an offshore breeze.

The inshore lifeboat and it’s volunteer crew were first to arrive on scene and located the dinghy with no one on board and were shortly followed by their colleagues on the all-weather lifeboat. The crew on board the inshore lifeboat located the casualty in the water approximately 80m from the scene attempting to swim ashore.

The male casualty believed to have been in the water for nearly 30 minutes was brought onboard the inshore lifeboat and then transferred to the all-weather lifeboat where he was administered first aid by the volunteer crew and brought ashore where a local doctor and ambulance crew were waiting to assist.

Also tasked to the scene and ready to give assistance were Youghal RNLI's inshore lifeboat, Ballycotton Coast Guard and the Coast Guard rescue helicopter.

Speaking following the call out, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain Eolan Walsh said: 'Thanks to the vigilance and very quick thinking of the local members of the public, they contributed to a speedy recovery with a positive outcome for all involved. We would like to thank everyone for their co-operation and quick thinking and we wish the casualty a speedy recovery.'

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